Downstream

What is Downstream?

In networking, downstream refers to the direction of data flow from a server or network to a client or user.

It is the opposite of upstream, which refers to the direction of data flow from a client or user to a server or network. Downstream data flow is important in situations where a user is receiving data from a server or network, such as when downloading a file, streaming a video, or accessing a website. The speed and reliability of downstream data flow can have a significant impact on the overall performance and user experience of network services. Downstream data flow is typically measured in terms of download speed, which is the rate at which data can be received from a server or network. This is different from upload speed, which is the rate at which data can be sent from a user to a server or network. In broadband internet connections, downstream speeds are often faster than upstream speeds, as most users tend to download more data than they upload. However, for certain applications such as video conferencing or online gaming, upstream speed can be just as important as downstream speed.